Apparatus for forming holes in and installing lines in structural members

ABSTRACT

Holes for electrical conductor lines and the like are formed through oftentimes inaccessible wooden obstructions, such as structural frame members of a hollow wall, by utilizing a novel drill having an elongate spring-like shaft with a drill bit on its leading end, and wherein the shaft may be bowed to insert the same into the wall to direct the drill bit in the desired direction. The method further comprises connecting a pliable line (a pull line or conductor line) to one end of the drill after it has passed through the wall, and then removing the drill while pulling the line therewith to position a length of the pliable line extending through the wall.



1. Apparatus for facilitating drilling of holes in wooden structural members oftentimes located in inaccessible areas and for installing electrical conductor lines in such members; said apparatus comprising a drill including a relatively short helical drill bit having a tapered portion on its trailing end, and a spring steel readily flexible straight shaft of much greater length than and of smaller cross-section than said drill bit and having one end fixedly secured to the tapered end of said drill bit, and coupling means detachably connected to one end of said drill and adapted for connecting an electrical conductor line thereto to be pulled through the drilled holes upon passing the drill through the holes in a direction away from said coupling means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drill bit is provided with a transverse aperture therethrough adjacent its leading end, said coupling means comprising an attaching member extending through said aperture for attachment to said drill bit, a braided tubular member adapted for releasably and grippingly receiving an end portion of the electrical conductor line within one end thereof, and a swivel means interconnecting proximal ends of said members whereby said drill may be rotated relative to said braided tubular member without twisting an electrical conductor line grippingly received in the braided tubular member during rotation of the drill. 